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Thursday, May 21, 2015

Chromebooks & Video Creation

Video Creation Options:

Process: With the Snagit Chrome Extension installed, users can record any screen or window that is open on their device. The final video product is automatically exported and stored in Google Drive (in a TechSmith folder). The video can also be uploaded directly to one's YouTube channel when the screencasting process is complete.

Process: Tap on the Screencastify extension to begin recording a single tab or your entire desktop. There is a helpful option to turn on the webcam while recording to create a more personal final product.(See Image Below)

The pop-up menu when one begins screencasting

There is a helpful feature in the settings to determine a saving location.

Modifying the storage location for screencasts in the Screencastify Settings

The final screen allows for extensive exporting and saving options.

The final screen when one is done screencasting with Sharing options

Benefits:

Enable the webcam while screencasting

Enable a preview window while recording

Pause screencast & continue recording

Save screencasts locally or auto-upload to Google Drive

Export to YouTube option

Drawbacks:

10 Minute Limit

Video format is WebM. Video conversion may be required to share and view on other devices (mobile) without uploading to YouTube. CloudConvert is a helpful option for this conversion process.

Process: Begin a new project in PowToon by adding characters, text & images to a slide. Characters, text and images can be animated to appear and disappear at specific points in the recording. There is also the option to record one's voice before beginning any animation process. With the voice track added, animations can be customized to match up with the ideas from the audio.

The editing Studio in PowToon

Benefits:

A project can be started, saved and edited later from one's PowToon dashboard

Final projects can be uploaded to YouTube from a free account

Editing interface has a short learning curve

A number of free templates to choose from

Built in Creative Commons Flickr search for images

Drawbacks:

5 minute time limit per video with free version. The time limit can be overcome by uploading two 5 minute projects to YouTube and combining with the YouTube Creator Studio (see below).

External / Mobile Device (iPad, iPhone, Android)

Process: Using any mobile device, videos can be captured & uploaded to YouTube. Once uploaded to YouTube, small video clips can later be combined and editing on a Chromebook using the YouTube Creator Studio (see below).